PENDER COUNTY — Pender County is set to receive a $50,000 grant to enhance the Abbey Nature Preserve — including a nature themed playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, educational signs, native landscaping and a trail connector from the parking lot to the preserve path.
The award — announced by Gov. Josh Stein on Sept. 3 — was given to the county as a part of the $9.8 million North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grants, distributed to 25 parks and recreation projects throughout the state.
The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered by North Carolina state parks and provides funding to local governments for land acquisition, new recreation facilities and improvements to existing parks and recreational facilities.
“Abbey Nature Preserve is an incredible natural resource, and this funding will help us enhance access to the preserve while creating opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors through recreation, education and conservation,” Pender County Parks and Recreation Director Zach White said.
Fifty-thousand dollars is the maximum award amount available for a single project and does require a local dollar-for-dollar match.
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